7 Basement Plumbing Tips to Keep Your Home Safe & Dry

7 Basement Plumbing Tips to Keep Your Home Safe & Dry

It can be easy to overlook your home’s basement plumbing system. After all, who isn’t still a little bit creeped out by the dark, mysterious basement? Still, it’s important to keep an eye on the plumbing in your basement. If left unwatched, leaky pipes, a flooded basement, and a huge headache might be in your future.

To avoid costly water damage, follow these seven basement plumbing tips to keep your home safe and dry.

1) Know where the main water shutoff valve is in your basement.

It’s typically located right next to the water meter. Being familiar with the main shutoff valve will prove incredibly helpful if you ever face flooding, a burst pipe, or a water leak.

2) Do you have sweating pipes in your basement?

In other words, is there often condensation on the pipes? You don’t want to foster a moist, damp basement environment because mold might grow. This is an easy fix: add foam-pipe installation around the sweating pipes. You can cut it to fit the length of the pipes. Goodbye, condensation!

3) Keep an eye on the water meter.

Checking up on the water meter is a great way to make sure there aren’t any hidden water leaks somewhere in your house. When you know that no water will be used for a ten-hour period, check the water meter and make a note of the number. Then ten hours later, check again. If the meter number has moved (and no water has been used!), you might have a leak.

4) Check up on your septic tank regularly.

Get your septic tank inspected regularly—at least every three years. In addition, here’s a helpful tip to make sure that sewer gas won’t back up through the septic tank drain. Pour a bucket of water down the drain trap every few months.

6) Flush out your water heater tank.

A sediment buildup is common in water heaters. To ensure that your water heater is working properly and won’t corrode, drain a few gallons from the water heater tank at least once a year.

7) Has it rained or snowed recently? Check your basement for any signs of water seepage.

If you notice seepage, there’s almost certainly a problem with your basement plumbing. But be careful—the water in your basement could have sewage, bacteria, or even hold an electric charge. Call a plumber for professional help right away.